Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: The Zhuge Clan's Plot
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"Wudang?"
"Yes."
"Hm."
A workspace excessively large for one person to use.
A middle-aged man who had been buried in stacks of documents furrowed his brow.
Dressed in the dignified attire of a scholar, with a stubborn impression etched deeply into his face—this was Zhuge Mulim, the one leading the Dukkang branch of the Zhuge Clan.
He had just begun his work early in the morning when his second son, Zhuge Geun, who had been out on inspection, requested a meeting.
However...
"A First Generation Disciple of Wudang named Jinmu appeared in Bangcheon County with two Second Generation Disciples."
"Jinmu?"
It was a name he had never heard before.
But more important than the fact that he was a First Generation Disciple was the name Wudang itself.
Why had those who had holed up in the mountains without emerging for over a decade suddenly shown themselves?
"What kind of person was he?"
"A very peculiar fellow, but at least a tiger cub by the looks of it."
"So you confirmed it yourself?"
"......"
Zhuge Geun couldn't bring himself to tell his father that he had been defeated.
"I sent Bang Gahu to test him, but..."
Though Zhuge Geun trailed off, his father knew full well that calling him a tiger cub implied defeat.
"Tsk tsk, and you didn't step in yourself... You were embarrassed by a Wudang First Generation Disciple?"
"I'm sorry. But just in case, I tailed them."
Zhuge Geun quickly changed the subject.
"You tailed them?"
"Yes. I thought you might be interested, Father."
"Hmmm. That was well done."
Was it displeasure at Bang Gahu's defeat? A flicker of dissatisfaction appeared in Zhuge Mulim's eyes.
"So, where were they headed?"
"They've gone to the Qingyang Merchant Group."
"Qingyang?"
The name seemed unfamiliar, as Zhuge Mulim tilted his head.
He had a thorough grasp of all merchant groups in Dukkang Ward, yet nothing came to mind about Qingyang.
Then, suddenly...
"Qingyang... Qingyang. You don't mean that Qingyang Merchant Group from Outer River Ward, do you?"
"Yes. It seems they've formed ties with Wudang. But why?"
Not understanding the reason for the question, Zhuge Geun looked puzzled, but Zhuge Mulim burst into laughter.
"What? Hahaha, this is quite the surprise. Wudang's been living in poverty, and now they've truly gone mad. Forming ties with Qingyang Merchant Group?"
Since the Qingyang Merchant Group hadn't allied with the Zhuge Clan, Zhuge Geun knew little about them.
"Do you know what kind of place Qingyang Merchant Group is?"
"I'm sorry. I was lacking and didn't look into it."
"If my memory serves, they pretend to be a proper merchant group, but in truth, they're scum dealing in smuggling."
"What? Surely Wudang hasn't gotten involved in smuggling?"
"As if. They probably don't even know. How would Taoist priests who abandoned the secular world know such things?"
"But why would Wudang associate with such people...?"
"I don't know. But Wudang tying up with Qingyang? That's music to my ears. Kahahat!"
Zhuge Mulim threw his head back in laughter.
"Come to think of it, the Taoist who visited Qingyang seemed a bit off."
"Off?"
"Yes. He ate meat and drank alcohol. Seemed fond of money too."
"What? A First Generation Disciple?"
"Yes."
"Oh dear, oh dear. Wudang's crumbling from within. I was inwardly worried about what to do if they resumed activities."
Zhuge Mulim was delighted, as if a nagging tooth had fallen out on its own.
"But there's one thing that bothers me."
"What is it?"
"I saw Jo Bang from Wu Manor in Bangcheon County."
"Jo Bang?"
"Yes. Wu Manor's steward. I didn't think much of it at the time, but it seems he was watching the Wudang Taoists."
"Oh? Wu Manor and Wudang?"
Zhuge Mulim paused to organize his thoughts, then smiled faintly.
"Come to think of it, didn't Wu Manor's son enter Wudang?"
"Yes. Jinhye."
"Right, Jinhye. And the Taoist at Qingyang was Jinmu, yes?"
"Yes."
"Hmmm. Jinhye, Wu Manor, and Qingyang Merchant Group."
Zhuge Mulim narrowed his eyes and tapped the table with his fingers.
"I see. Indeed. Kahahaha!"
After pondering for a long while, Zhuge Mulim burst into another fit of laughter.
"How so?"
"Even horseflies that suck blood from cattle are now trying to devour the whole cow."
Horseflies were insects that latched onto the backs of cattle, sheep, or horses to suck their blood.
But how?
Unable to comprehend his father's words, Zhuge Geun just tilted his head.
"Perfect. With filthy scum banding together, the stench will be overwhelming. Hm, what to do? It wouldn't be bad if that fool takes over Wudang."
Zhuge Mulim's narrowed eyes gleamed slyly.
"You mean they'll swallow up Wudang?"
"Swallow? Ridiculous. They're lucky if their own mouths don't tear open."
Zhuge Mulim chuckled in disbelief.
"In any case, it's a golden opportunity. At the very least, we can thoroughly tarnish Wudang's name as it falls. Make sure they never set foot in Dukkang Ward again."
"Pardon?"
"Geun-ah."
"Yes."
"You have one task from now on."
"Tell me."
"From this moment, investigate every detail of what those Wudang Taoists are up to."
"To confirm if they're involved in illegal activities with Qingyang?"
Zhuge Mulim nodded pleasedly at his son's guess.
"That would be even better. In any case, I'll assign you twenty warriors from the Blue Flower Unit."
"Th-the Blue Flower Unit?"
Zhuge Geun looked slightly surprised.
The Blue Flower Unit was one of the warrior units directly under the family head, and it wasn't an exaggeration to call it the main force of the Dukkang Zhuge branch.
He had never assigned the Blue Flower Unit to any heirs before.
It meant he had high expectations.
"Yes. Keep watch on those Wudang Taoists. If luck is on your side and they get struck down by a blind blade, fine. If they get entangled in illegal dealings, capture them yourself."
"Understood."
Zhuge Geun responded vigorously.
The position of young clan head in the branch family had yet to be decided. Given Zhuge Mulim's personality, he wouldn't simply pass it to the eldest son.
Who would contribute more to the clan's development?
That was the criterion for choosing the young clan head.
With his father so pleased, this was a prime chance to catch his eye.
Moreover, the Blue Flower Unit.
He had clashed with Jinmu once before, and the Taoist’s martial arts were far superior to his own.
He couldn't even guess the extent of his prowess.
He knew he couldn't win in a rematch.
But with twenty Blue Flower warriors? Even a Wudang elder wouldn't be confident of easy victory against that force.
'I'll pay that bastard back in full.'
Zhuge Geun responded vigorously once more.
"I will carry out your orders without fail."
"Good. I trust you."
Zhuge Mulim rose and patted Zhuge Geun's shoulder encouragingly.
"Is Taoist Jinmu here?"
After arriving at the Qingyang Merchant Group, Jinmu's group had been assigned an entire small pavilion for rest.
Though called small, it had a rear garden with a pavilion, making it quite spacious for three people.
As evening approached, Geumjeoksan, who had gone out for business, returned to the rear garden with the chief steward.
Jinmu, who had nothing particular to do and was watching Cheongu and Cheongsang spar while offering guidance, stood up gladly.
"It's been a while, sir."
Surprisingly, Jinmu was courteous.
"Hoho, when I visited Wudang, I took a great interest in you, Taoist. Hearing you were coming filled me with such gratitude."
Geumjeoksan smiled excessively politely.
"But your attire..."
"Ah, there was a minor incident on the way."
"My word, what scum dared to attack Wudang Taoists!"
Geumjeoksan glared fiercely, clenching his fist as if he would hunt them down immediately.
"It's fine. It's already over."
"This won't do. I must assign guards for your protection to ease my mind."
"Haha, thank you for your kind heart, sir."
"Thanks? We're practically family now with Wudang."
On the surface, it was a smile like one shared with old acquaintances of decades, but inwardly, Jinmu smirked slyly.
Excessive kindness.
There was always something hidden behind unmotivated favors.
And Jinmu already knew exactly what Geumjeoksan was thinking.
But revealing one's thoughts was the mark of an amateur.
"Haha, I'm grateful you think so highly of us, Merchant Group Leader. The Sect Leader himself instructed us to lend special assistance."
Jinmu smiled innocently as he replied.
"Oh, really? Such an honor... But what trouble could befall a modest group like ours? Change your clothes and join me to tour Dukkang Ward. We can have dinner too."
"Is that alright? It's our first time in the secular world, after all."
Jinmu scratched the back of his head shyly, uncharacteristically so, and Geumjeoksan flashed a sly smile.
"I understand. Also, during your stay, use the Qingyang Merchant Group's name for any expenses in Dukkang."
"Really?"
"Of course. Didn't I say we're family?"
Geumjeoksan nodded with a generous smile.
Jinmu was overjoyed at his words.
He knew Geumjeoksan's dark intentions all too well and had been pondering how to bleed him dry.
For him to openly offer money—who wouldn't be pleased?
'I planned to drain them dry once I figured out their operations and bankrupt them.'
There's always a bigger fish. When it came to vileness, Jinmu considered himself top-tier in the Central Plains.
"Well then, perhaps the fabric shop..."
"Ah! Did you order clothes?"
Geumjeoksan glanced once more at the three's shabby, torn, and bloodstained garments.
"Yes. At Heavenly Fabric Shop."
"I know the place well. I'll tell the steward to settle the bill."
"Thank you, sir!"
"Haha, what money do ascetic Taoists have? Don't hesitate—just say the word."
"I'm embarrassed."
Jinmu blushed, scratched the back of his head, and smirked slyly.
"Hoho, wait a moment then. I'll change quickly and return."
"Yes."
Once Geumjeoksan left Jinmu's lodgings, his expression turned icy, like a different person entirely.
"Chief Steward!"
"Yes, Group Leader."
Ichiseong, waiting outside, responded to Geumjeoksan's call.
"Contact Wu Manor immediately. The Wudang Taoists have arrived."
"Understood."
Ichiseong replied without question.
He already knew of the secret pact between Wu Manor and Geumjeoksan.
Wu Manor was the home of Wudang's First Generation Disciple Jinhye. The Qingyang Merchant Group's ties with Wudang were thanks to Wu Manor and Jinhye's influence.
When word came that Wudang was sending disciples to Qingyang, it had been a bit unexpected.
Not Jinhye, but Jinmu.
He had assumed it would be Jinhye.
Geumjeoksan remembered Jinmu from his visit to Wudang.
A disciple recognized even by Myeonggong, Jinhye's master.
He had thought Jinmu might even become the great disciple.
But contact from Wu Manor came soon after. Wu Manor was targeting the visiting Taoists.
Seeing Cheongsang's attire, it was clear they had already been ambushed once by Wu Manor.
'They must see him as an obstacle.'
It didn't particularly matter.
Just help Jinhye become great disciple, ascend to Sect Leader, and exploit Wudang's name.
No—Jinhye would be far better than Jinmu.
For secret pacts, someone with dirty secrets was preferable to a clean one.
"B-but isn't it too dangerous?"
"What is?"
"They're Wudang disciples. If things go wrong, it could harm the merchant group."
"Chief Steward."
"Yes."
"We know nothing."
We have no involvement.
Leave Jinmu's group to Wu Manor.
They just needed to stay out of it, and all responsibility fell on Wu Manor.
This way, they'd gain another weakness over them—nothing bad about that.
More pressing was...
"Chief Steward."
"Yes."
"How's the gunpowder smuggling going?"
"Ah, the deal is set for five days from now."
"Five days? Plenty of time to prepare. The authorities are watching closely, so be thorough."
"Yes. We'll prepare meticulously."